| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1150 | |||||||||
| Community Emergency ResponseTeam Program Homeland Security | |||||||||
| Requester: | Captain Robert Palestrant | Organization: | Miami Dade County | ||||||
| Project Title: | Community Emergency ResponseTeam Program Homeland Security | Date Submitted | 1/15/2003 12:51:28 PM | ||||||
| Sponsors: | Rivera | ||||||||
| Statewide Interest: | |||||||||
| Homeland Security. The Federal Government Recognizes Miami-Dade County as a significant target for terrorist attack and as an area prone to natural disasters such as flooding and hurricanes. | |||||||||
| Recipient: | Captain Robert Palestrant | Contact: | Captain Robert Palestrant | ||||||
| 111 NW 1 Street, Government Center | Contact Phone: | (305) 468-5416 | |||||||
| Miami 33128 | |||||||||
| Counties: | Dade | ||||||||
| Gov't Entity: | Yes | Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): | |||||||
| Project Description: | |||||||||
| The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs. As a result, the LAFD created the Disaster Preparedness Division with the purpose of training citizens and private and government employees. The training program that LAFD initiated makes good sense and furthers the process of citizens understanding their responsibility in preparing for disaster. It also increases their ability to safely help themselves, their family and their neighbors. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) acknowledged the success in California recognizing the importance of preparing citizens for disasters. As a result they made this training available nationally. With the help of the Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy, a program applicable to all hazards was developed and made available to communities interested in improving their resident's ability to prepare before disasters and respond afterward. In 1998, with the support of the Director of the Miami-Dade County Fire-Rescue Department, the Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) decided to begin a CERT program. The OEM took the FEMA program and modified it to meet the needs of South Florida with a strong emphasis on hurricane preparedness. As a division of the Miami-Dade Fire Department, the OEM has been able to requisition supplies and equipment from their supply bureau. They also have access to the Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) Florida Task Force 1 training site, and currently developing several other training sites to meet the needs of the community. This ensures that course participants can complete the required training and exercises in a safe and effective manner in a location that closely resembles post disaster conditions. In addition, all instructors are members of the USAR team with activation experience, or have been specially trained in Search and Rescue, Extrication, and Structural Collapse. | |||||||||
| Is this a water project as described in Chapter 2002-291, Laws of Florida? | No | ||||||||
| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: | |||||||||
| Disaster Preparedness training for 1500 civilians | |||||||||
| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: | $250,000 | ||||||||
| Identify item(s) in the FY 2003-04 Appropriations Bill to be reduced: | |||||||||
| Specific Appropriation #: | 2168A | ||||||||
| Specific Appropriation Title: | Strengthening Homeland Security | ||||||||
| Amount to be reduced: | $250,000 | ||||||||
| Total cost of the project: | $505,950 | ||||||||
| Request has been made to fund: | Operations | ||||||||
| What type of match exists for this project? | Local, Federal | ||||||||
| Cash Amount | $255,950 | ||||||||
| Was this project previously funded by the state? | No | ||||||||
| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? | Yes | Amount: | $250,000 | To Fund: | Operations | ||||
| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? | Unknown | ||||||||
| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? | Unknown | ||||||||
| Is there a documented need for this project? | Yes | ||||||||
| Documentation: | USA Freedom Corp., Statement from FEMA director Joe Allbaugh, The Lewis Committee Report, 1993. | ||||||||
| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? | Yes | ||||||||
| Hearing Body: | Dade Delegation meeting | ||||||||
| Hearing Meeting Date: | 12/11/2002 | ||||||||